[IMAGE]11714[/IMAGE]
Reducing a company’s carbon footprint through fleet operations has become a growing trend, with nearly half of private and public sector fleets in the United States measuring emissions, up from 28 percent in 2008, according to the results of a recent industry survey.
With 95 percent of its 6,800-vehicle fleet comprised of large commercial vans costing $30 million in fuel annually, ADT Security Services replaced nearly half of its fleet with the Ford Transit Connect as part of a company-wide program to save expenses, increase fuel efficiency, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
ADT purchased 1,500 Transit Connects earlier this year and should have 3,000 units total by the end of 2010 — saving some $5.3 million in fuel costs annually, while reducing carbon emissions.
Although technicians were initially reluctant to switch vehicles, the 35 technicians who participated in a five-week pilot program changed their perception dramatically by the time the pilot was completed, based on the vehicle’s functionality and convenience, according to David Wade, ADT supply chain and fleet group director. Wade says GE Capital Fleet Services played a huge role in the success of the project.
Achieving 22 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, the Transit Connects provide ADT significant fuel economy savings over the vehicles being replaced.
Older Ford Econoline vans averaged about 13 city/18 highway mpg, demonstrating a 40-percent improvement in fuel economy in city driving and 28-percent highway mpg improvement.
Wade says the fleet operation is currently working on a project to align installation and service requirements to include tools and parts for a more appropriate vehicle, and right-sizing the supply chain to source commonly used parts for technicians with systematic replenishment cycles.
Grace Suizo is Senior Editor of Automotive Fleet Magazine. She can be contacted at [email protected].
